Exploring Awareness and Attitudes Towards Smoke Among Pregnant Women and Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study

H Yağmur Sevinç; Bülent Güneş; S. Songül Yalçın

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1528936

EN

Exploring Awareness and Attitudes Towards Smoke Among Pregnant Women and Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Purpose: Smoking during pregnancy or exposure to secondhand smoke can impact fetal development and child health. Moreover, the smoking habits of healthcare professionals (HCP) not only jeopardize their own well-being but also undermine anti-smoking efforts’ credibility. The aim of this study was to investigate the awareness and attitudes of pregnant women and HCP about smoking. Methods: The study conducted four focus group interviews involving 34 pregnant women and two focus group interviews with 17 HCP. Data collection was carried out through face-to-face interviews with audio recordings, utilizing researcherdeveloped forms comprising of the mother’s information form and semi-structured questions. Content analysis of the research data was performed using MAXQDA-24. Results: Findings revealed that both pregnant women and HCP were exposed to secondhand smoke within their homes (40% vs 17.6%, respectively) often disregarding areas like the kitchen, balcony, or less frequented rooms as part of the indoor environment. Many emphasized the detrimental impact of smoking in the presence of children, highlighting its potential to influence children to adopt the habit. Additionally, it was stated that educational videos on smoking’s dangers to child health motivated pregnant women to quit smoking. Conclusion: The study highlights a significant gap in awareness among both pregnant women and HCPs regarding the risks of secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure. Despite HCPs’ knowledge of the harms of smoking, the presence of exposure suggest that more effective interventions are needed. To address this gap, pregnant women should receive targetted education from informed HCPs who fully understand the risks associated with smoking, particularly in the home environment.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

NONE

Ethical Statement

The study was conducted with the permission of the Harran University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Protocol no: 2023/03/17).

Thanks

The authors would like to thank all of the pregnant women and healthcare professionals for their voluntarily participations.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

H Yağmur Sevinç ^*
0000-0002-3962-7113
Türkiye

Bülent Güneş
0000-0001-8221-208X
Türkiye

S. Songül Yalçın
0000-0001-9061-4281
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

June 18, 2025

Publication Date

July 1, 2025

Submission Date

August 6, 2024

Acceptance Date

February 26, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1528936

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA63BT42EY

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Sevinç HY, Güneş B, Yalçın SS (July 1, 2025) Exploring Awareness and Attitudes Towards Smoke Among Pregnant Women and Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 16 3 414–421.

Öz

Exploring Awareness and Attitudes Towards Smoke Among Pregnant Women and Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

Thanks

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite